| Office of Information and Public Affairs | Washington, DC 20207 |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 20, 2000 Release # 00-145a |
Company Phone Number: (800) 541-1345 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Nychelle Fleming, (301) 504-7063 |
PRODUCT: Teether Toys - Manhattan Group LLC, of Minneapolis, Minn., is voluntarily recalling about 22,000 plastic teether toys. These toys are called the Whoozit® Touch and Teethe™, and have item number WZ-450, written on the packaging. The teether has a 3-inch center face with a red nose that squeeks when pushed in. A mirror is on the reverse side of the face. Seven shapes surround the toy: two hearts, two stars, two circles and one triangle. The green triangle on the toy reads "Touch and Teethe," "Whoozit" and "Made in China." Specialty stores and gift shops sold the teethers from February 2000 through May 2000 for about $12.
PROBLEM: The teether can pull apart easily and expose small pieces. This poses choking and aspiration hazards to young children.
INCIDENTS/INJURIES: The firm has received four reports of teethers coming apart and exposing small pieces. No injuries have been reported.
WHAT TO DO: Consumers should take the toys away from young children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund or exchange for another toy. For more information, contact Manhattan Group at (800) 541-1345 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.